A WINTER LOVE AFFAIR - ALPINE EDITION
SKI, APRÈS, SPA - CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE.
There’s something about winter in the Alps that feels completely magical. Snow-dusted villages. Crisp mountain air. Crackling fires. Champagne appearing at exactly the right moment.
Chasing winter through Austria and Switzerland, and falling for it along the way. A gentle reminder that a snow holiday isn’t just for skiers and snowboarders. It’s for spa lovers, long-lunchers, walkers, wanderers, shoppers, scene-chasers, and anyone who enjoys a little magic woven in to their travels.
Arosa | A soft, snowy introduction to the Alps
Arriving into Arosa feels like a proper initiation to the Swiss Alps. A steep, winding road through snow-covered peaks, then suddenly - a charming village tucked neatly into the mountains.
A stay at Tschuggen Grand Hotel made it all the more special. Waking up to towering white peaks outside the windows felt quietly surreal. One of the hotel’s more unique features is it’s private mountain railway, taking guests straight up to the slopes — no queues, no crowds and no standing around in ski boots any longer than necessary (always a win). This also makes it a brilliant option for families. Gentle terrain, space to roam, mountain restuarants - that easy alpine village feel.
A fabulous spa, heated sunrise swims outdoors in the snow, with crisp mountain air and the sun creeping over the mountain peaks and bonus points for being dog-friendly — fireside cuddles with furry guests like Eddie the golden retriever, felt like the perfect welcome to Switzerland 🐾
Austria | The Alberg Region
The Alberg is legendary - and for good reason. One of Europe’s most extensive ski regions, it links Zürs, Lech and St Anton into one seamless, massive alpine playground.
For confident skiers and boarders, the terrain is vast and exhilarating. If you really want to unlock the region, a private ski guide is worth every cent - the best guides = the best routes. Surprisingly, for such an advanced mountain, it’s also a fantastic place to learn. The beginner area here is much quieter than other resort areas, with far less chaos than you’d expect. MVP shout-out to the legends at @Highzuersskiguides — calm, clever, fun and the reason we looked far more competent on the mountain than we actually are.
And if skiing isn’t your thing? Long lunches, fireside wines, spa afternoons and aprés scenes that start early and end…. well whenever you decide they should.
Our stay at Hotel Zürserhof felt like a giant warm hug, being welcomed into someone’s beautifully run alpine home. Family-owned and full of heart, this is the kind of place where the team know your name - and your coffee order - after day one.
Rooms range from traditional chalet charm to sleek contemporary suites, perfect whether you love cosy alpine vibes or something more modern. There’s an extensive spa (very well earned after a day outside), true ski-in / ski-out access from the rear of the hotel, and food that’s comforting, refined and exactly what you want after a day exploring the mountains.
Zürs itself is calm and quiet - a peaceful base for serious skiers.
Just five minutes away, Lech brings the buzz. Lively bars, restaurants and a fun aprës scene with a polished alpine edge. It’s social, vibrant and effortlessly cool - perfect for an afternoon that starts with ‘just one drink’ and rolls into dinner. Pop over (or ski over), soak up the vibe, then retreat back to your peaceful mountain hideaway.
St Moritz | Glitz, glamour, and a winter scene all of its own
If the Alps had a social calendar, St Moritz would be headlining it. Sitting at 1800m elevation on a frozen lake, with mountains rising to 3000m, St Moritz feels less like a traditional ski town and more like a winter playground. It’s polished, confident, and just as much about the scene as the snow. It’s a 50/50 split between skiers and non-skiers - which tells you everything you need to know.
Yes, the skiing is great. But just as many people are here for the long elegant lunches, high-end boutique strolls, afternoon champagne rituals and not-so-subtle people watching. Fur coats, oversized sunglasses and private jets don’t raise an eyebrow here - they’re simply part of the landscape.
Our base was the Carlton St Moritz - timeless, elegant, and blessed with sweeping views over the lake and town. Old-world European charm, spacious suites, and a sense of history without feeling dated.
One of the standout experiences was with the hotel’s outdoor butler - a torchlit forest evening walk, weaving through snow-covered trees to a frozen lake in the mountains. Quiet, atmospheric and completely magical.
And then there is the fondue gondola. Parked right in front of the hotel, these retro gondolas become private dining rooms. Four friends, bubbling cheese fondue, swiss wine on ice, heating turned up and your own sound system to set your own vibe. Aprés playlists, lots of laughs and a lot of cheese. It’s playful, indulgent and such a perfect snapshot of St Moritz - where the experience is the whole point.
Scene town first. Snow town second. And that’s exactly why it works.
Lake Lucerne | The perfect wind-down.
Sitting high above Lake Lucerne — often quite literally floating above the clouds — The Bürgenstock Alpine Resort was a standout surprise.
If you’re not quite ready to hit the city with a thud at the end of your beautiful alpine holiday, this is the perfect wind-down. Sitting at 800m elevation, it’s a winter luxury with endlessly calming views and a beautiful contrast between the historic Palace Hotel and the newer sleek contemporary wing.
Exceptional spa facilities steal the show here - hammams, steam rooms, saunas, indulgent treatments and an infinity pool suspended above the clouds. Ideal for easing sore muscles and switching into a slower mode without sacrificing those mountain views before the trek home.
There is fabulous dining on-site, and if you feel like venturing out, a funicular connects you down to the lake, with a boat connection across to Lucerne.
A stopover here is seamless, restorative and a no-brainer with an easy transfer directly to Zurich airport.
Andermatt | Swiss Alpine Charm
Just an hour from Bürgenstock and around two hours from Zurich, Andermatt feels like that Swiss village vibe people dream about.
At it’s heart, is The Chedi Andermatt - modern chalet perfection, and the ideal choice if you are craving that quintessential luxe chalet in the mountains vibe. Warm woods, soft tones, fireplaces everywhere and some of the largest lead-in rooms in the country. Cosy without being heavy, effortlessly luxe.
This is a hotel you genuinely want to spend time in. From the fondue chalet on-property to ice-carving experiences, spa soaks, steam room sessions and fireside evenings, it’s designed for winter indulgence - where you ski all day, or not at all.
The mountain suits all levels, and it’s not unusual to see people hopping on the gondola just to walk their dogs in the snow or heading up for lunch - very Swiss, very charming.
The showstopper? Lunch at Gütsch - a one-star Michelin Japanese restaurant on the mountain. Casual, fun and completely unexpected. Ski gear welcome, slippers provided (by The Chedi of course). One of the highest Michelin-starred restaurants in the world — and somehow also one of the most relaxed.
Zurich
For those wanting to end (or start) their snowy adventures with a city stay, The Dolder Grand feels like stepping into another era. Perched high above the city, built in 1899, this grand dame has hosted celebrities, artists and royalty since the early 1900s, and that sense of history still lingers.
A private funicular connects the hotel to the city below, where Zurich’s boutiques, cafes, galleries and lakefront are just a short tram-ride away. Peaceful and elevated, yet never disconnected.
Accommodation ranges from classic Euro glamour to sleek modern spaces across different wings - golf to spa. The hotel itself is delightfully quirky, filled with art, retro installations, personality and unexpected corners - including a quietly confident two-star Michelin dining experience.
With panoramic views over the city, lake and mountains (not to mention having its own ice-skating rink) The Dolder becomes far more than a hotel, it’s an experience in it’s own right.
Winter isn’t just for skiers - You don’t need to carve black runs to fall in love with a snow holiday. Winter in the Alps is as much about;
Trying a lesson or two
Long lunches and early aprës
Spa days, village strolls and views for days
Crisp air, crackling fires, falling snow and that unmistakeable winter glow.
If a winter wonderland has been quietly calling — whether you ski, stroll, spa or sip — Austria and Switzerland deliver it beautifully 🤍
Immense thanks to @leadinghotelsoftheworld for such a magical trip — truly some of the best hotels in the world, brought together with that effortless, understated excellence they do so well. From grand dames to alpine icons, every stay felt thoughtful, character-filled and quietly exceptional.
A huge thank you as well to the incredible hotel teams along the way (@leadinghotelsoftheworld | @carltonstmoritz | @tschuggengrandhotel |@grandresortzürserhof | @burgenstockresort | @chediandermatt | @thedoldergrand | @highzuersskiguides) — for the warm welcomes, the attention to detail, the fireside moments, and the feeling that nothing was ever too much trouble. And to our brilliant ski guides, who know these mountains like the back of their hand and made every day feel seamless, safe and just the right amount of adventurous.
These are the kinds of trips that stay with you long after the snow melts — and a big part of that magic is the people behind them ✨
